Flood prevention action plan
Highland Council officials are to draw up a plan of action to ease the impact of future flooding in the Culloden/Smithton area of Inverness. This emerged from a meeting with local members in the wake of weekend flooding in the suburbs of Inverness, which affected more than 20 homes in Culloden and Smithton and affected roads at Moniack, near Beauly and Castle Stuart en route to Inverness Airport.
Inverness Provost, Councillor Jimmy Gray and Ward 18 members (Culloden and Ardersier) – Councillors Roddy Balfour, John Ford, Glynis Sinclair and Robert Wynd - were briefed today (Wednesday) on the weekend incident . They were told of the action taken to deal with the immediate aftermath of the flood, that investigations into the causes were continuing and that an action plan would be drawn up recommending longer term action to tackle the flooding trouble spots.
City Manager David Haas was joined by Richard Guest, Head of Roads and Community Works, and Richard Evans, Area Roads and Community Works Manager for Inverness, Nairn and Badenoch and Strathspey, in briefing members.
Mr Haas said: “The Council is fully aware of the huge amount of disruption the weekend flooding caused to householders throughout the Inverness area . Our staff worked long and hard to clear the flooding and the public can be assured we will focus on an action plan aimed at tackling the trouble spots.”
Meanwhile, a meeting is taking place tomorrow (Thursday) in Beauly to discuss with local councillors, landowners and community representatives options for easing flooding at Moniack, which has resulted in traffic between Inverness and Beauly being diverted via Kirkhill.
The following is a report on the weekend flooding: -
“There was heavy and localised rainfall on Saturday afternoon, followed by more and continuous rainfall overnight and into Sunday morning resulted in flooding of homes in at least the following locations as reported by the City Manager:
· Loch Lann Road - 5-7 Houses
· Smithton Villas - 6 Houses
· Murray Terrace - 12 Houses
On Saturday 16 July lunchtime, calls were received from the Police regarding flooding issues. The list of roads is: Dalcroy Road, Ardcroy Road, Barn Church Road, Cameron Drive, Forbes Place, Old Smithton Road, Smithton Burn, Moray Park Gardens, Cullernie Road, Caulfield Road and burn, Tower Hill North, Harbour Road, Tower Road, Old Croy Farm and Nairnside.
The council cleared culverts at burns and gullies where possible, erected “Flood” signs and removed water from roads with sweepers where practical to do so.
On Sunday 17 July morning more calls concerning flooding at Loch Lann Road, Old Smithton Road, Moray Park Terrace, Barn Church Road, Tower Brae North, Feabuie, Cantray Bridge College (land slip), Gean Avenue, Culduthel Road, Slackbuie Terrace, Inshes Holdings, Birchwood, Keppoch, Croy, A862 at Moniack (flood signs), Murray Place, Murray Terrace, various burns, Culloden Road, Tower Road, Clava, B9039 Castle Stuart closed
Monday 18 July:
Tuesday 18 July:
Roads closed - A 862 Moniack and Easter Cantray Brae
Wednesday 19 July:
Roads closed - A 862 Moniack and Easter Cantray Brae
Immediate Steps
1. Complete clean up and double check all relevant burns and culverts.
2. Identify any obvious causes for the flooding
Next Steps
1. Carry out detailed flood study of the affected area to identify causes in more detail and develop proposals to reduce future flood risk.
2. Implement further proposals to reduce flood risk where practicable
There is also an ongoing situation on the Moniack Burn at Achnagairn House that is affecting the A862 and some crops by flooding.”
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